first, to make the equation easier to read, you want to add the x’s together. you should then get 2.6x-3.8=-9. then, you want to add the 3.8 to both sides, to make the x stand alone. you should end up with 2.6x=-5.2. to find x, you then want to divide both sides by 2.6. your final answer after dividing should be x=-2
